Download Sources of Democratic Tradition

Sources of Democratic
Tradition
2000 B.C. - A.D. 1689
Overview

Greek vs Roman

Judaism

Christianity

Developments in England
Greek or Roman?
BRIEF History

Poll: Greek vs Roman

Both Greece and Rome begin to develop
around 500 BC
Greeks thrive between 500 BC - 133 BC
Rome emerges in 133 BC after their
conquest of Asia Minor

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Rome falls in the 400s AD after almost
200 years of peace during the Pax
Romana
Both the Greeks and Romans continue to
develop their cultures and manage to exist
beyond the fall of their empires
Pay attention during the lecture for
areas where you can see Roman or
Greek influence in life today!

Greek
Political
City-states
(polis): political
unit made up of a
city and
surrounding land
 Sparta vs Athens
 Athens: limited
democracy
(government by
the people)
Solon
 Alexander the
Great


Roman

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Republic: people
choose some
officials
Senate: wealthy
land owners
Lead by two consuls
Dictator elected by
senate in event of
war
Tribunes: elected
commoners to
represent cities
(veto power)

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Move to build empire
starting in 270 BC (Julius
and Augustus)
Pax Romana
Twelve Tables (law code)
Checks and balances

Art
Greek
 Expansion throughout
Mediterranean leads to
trade of artwork
 Pottery
 Acropolis
 Temples
 Spread with Alexander
the Great

Roman
 Developed based
upon Greek arts
 Forum
 Pax Romana
 Roads, plumbing
 Colosseum
Religion

Greek
 Polytheistic

Roman
 Starts
polytheistic
based upon
Greek gods
 During Pax
Romana
adopts
Christianity
Philosophy

Greek
 Sophists: moral and
ethical truths were not
opinions, but principles
 Socrates, Plato,
Aristotle
 Reason as the guiding
force for learning
 Reaching full potential
to achieve the “good
life”
 What is the good life?

Roman
 Studied Greek
philosophers
 Stoics: stressed
duty; well-being of
all people
Geography

GREECE

Water/Sea
Mountains
Few
resources



ROME --wide variety of resources -sea/water
Greece/Rome Post-Lecture
Quiz
 List
three areas of life today
where you see Greek or Roman
influence.
BRIEF History
of Judaism



Known as Hebrews
or Israelites
Abraham, Moses
leads to Israel 1000
BC
Conquered by
Persians,
Babylonians,
Persians again,
then the Romans
Principles of Judaism


Monotheistic
Chosen people
The
Torah
Ten Commandments
Scattering

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During the Roman expansion, a variety of
sects/cults formed off of Judaism
Example: Christianity
Many left their homeland during the
Roman period to avoid persecution, but
the area of modern day Israel remained
the center of the Jewish religion and
culture
Brief History of Christianity
Arose during the Roman occupation of
Israel among the commoners
 Followed Jesus and his apostles

After Jesus’ death the religion
continued to spread West throughout
the Mediterranean and into Europe
(Paul of Tarsus)
 People suffering under Roman rule
appreciated the ideas of equality and
love

Medieval Church
As the church developed it promoted
education
 Greek philosophers posed a challenge to
Christian scholars (reason to discover
truths vs accepting ideas based on faith)
 Thomas Aquinas -- examines Christian
teachings in the light of reason; brings
Christian faith and Greek philosophy
closer together

Democratic Developments in
England
After fall of Rome chaos engulfs Europe
 Germanic tribes from Northern Europe
fight over the area and little villages
throughout the countryside begin to form
 In order to protect their villages, neighbors
buddy up and provide protection for one
another

Feudalism
Pyramid
KING
LORDS
VASSALS
KNIGHTS
PEASANTS
Political Structure
1. Villages control own area
 Constant
movement/invasions
 2. Buddy up to protect and
leads to feudal system
 3. Strong monarchy
 Kings dislike the feudal
system -- gives too much
control to others
 William the Conqueror

Traditions in Development of
England


Common Law
 Legal system
(courts, jury)
Magna Carta
 Great Charter
 Rights to nobles
and citizens
 Monarch must
obey laws

Parliament
 Similar to Senate
in Rome
 Originally gave
advice, leads to
larger role that
unifies England
 Limits power of
the king
End of Lecture Quiz
 1.
List three areas of life today
where you see Greek or Roman
influence.
 2. What is one way that Greek and
Roman early religion differed from
Judaism and Christianity?
 3. Draw and label the feudal social
structure.